MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Local law enforcement officials have eradicated a large scale marijuana grow discovered earlier this month in the Middletown area.

Lt. Steve Brooks said a routine Lake County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Task Force overflight mission that took place May 1 led to the grow’s discovery.

Brooks said detectives observed the grow site in an area commonly known as Black Oak, which is located in a remote area off of Butts Canyon Road near the Lake and Napa county line.

Last Friday, May 10, detectives walked into the site and discovered 46,284 marijuana plants, Brooks said.

The detectives said it appeared to be an illicit marijuana growing operation, funded by a Hispanic drug trafficking organization, according to Brooks.

As the detectives were conducting their investigation they noticed two Hispanic males fleeing the area on foot, Brooks said. After a brief search of the area, they were unable to locate the suspects.

During the investigation, detectives located and seized a cellular telephone as evidence. Brooks said a forensic examination of the telephone will be conducted in an attempt to identify the suspects.

The marijuana later was eradicated and destroyed, Brooks said.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be contacted through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.